8 Reasons your hair looks frazzled (and how to save it)

1. Your handbag is giving your hair hell

If your locks are shoulder-length or longer, you're probably all too familiar with the daily struggle of getting those bloody strands caught under your handbag strap - ouch, right? One twist of your head and it feels like your mane is being ripped out. Well that's probably because it is (to an extent anyway). We decided to get a couple of experts to weigh in on our handbag-induced hair damage...

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Anabel Kingsley, Trichologist and Haircare Expert at Philip Kingsley, explained how the damage can be done, "long hair can easily become trapped under the strap on a handbag. Eventually this could cause damage to the cuticle and result in breakage - especially if it is done on a regular basis."

Things can get a little worse if your handbag is embellished or has a metal/chain strap (we're looking at you, Chanel), Anabel explained why, "if your handbag is very heavy, or the strap is embellished with metal, the hair becomes tangled in it. Hair that is processed, highlighted or frequently straightened may also be more vulnerable to damage as the hair will already be weaker."

So what's a gal to do? Well the best place to start is to keep your hair off your shoulders (where possible), also try to switch up the shoulder that you carry your bag on, so that the damage isn't focussed on just one side. Finally, avoid 'non-slip' handbag straps, as these are the worst culprits for catching and chewing up strands.

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2. Rocking a ponytail on the regular

We know topknots and ponytails are a winner on a lazy day, but wearing the hairstyle on the daily can lead to breakage as the tension builds up on your strands. Keep a can of Batiste's Dry Shampoo on hand, that way you can easily refresh your roots on cba-hair-days. Now, you can leave those lengths loose as opposed to whipping them up into a pony every morn.

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3. The wrong hair ties

Elastic hair ties with metals clamps are one of the biggest culprits when it comes to daily damage. You wrap that sucker around your topknot, and undoubtedly, at least some of your hairs will end up in between the metal and the elastic. When you come to pull the tie out, it's going to rip some of your hair out with it. Opt for a fabric tie instead, like these from Kitsch.

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4. Your straighteners are set to the wrong temp

You think those straighteners are giving you the silky-like locks that you've always craved, but in fact, they could be wreaking havoc on each and every strand. Why? They may be set to the wrong temperature, too high, and you'll end up with frazzled lengths, too low, and you could end up over-straightening your ends, which equals, you guessed it, damaged tresses. Want to know the ideal temp to set your straighteners? One expert spills the deets in the story below...

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5. Towel-drying

We love to throw our wet locks up into a towel as much as the next person, but the fabric is usually rough, and designed to absorb water fast. Instead, a nifty option that most industry-insiders use, is an old t-shirt. The material is just as absorbent, but the softer fabric will be gentler on your hair than a towel, meaning less breakage. Yay.

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6. You're brushing ALL wrong

Brushing your hair is inevitably going to lead to damage whether you're combing or teasing those tangled strands. When it comes to battling the knots, opt for a Tangle Teezer or The Wet Brush, instead. The flexible bristles have been designed specifically to help ease knots without leading to breakage.

When you begin to brush, start at the bottom of your hair and work your way back up. "If you start brushing at the top, or use a brush to remove tangles, you can snap your hair all along the shaft, and this can give you split ends throughout the lengths of your hair" explains Trichologist and Hair Expert, Philip Kingsley.

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7. Your hair is suffering in the sun

"Your hair can burn in the sun, just like your skin" explains Trichologist, Anabel Kingsley. "This makes it more prone to splitting and further damage. If you sit in the sun for a prolonged period of time, protect your hair with a leave-in UV protector, or wear a hat." Our favourite way to defend our locks from sun damage is with a misting of Aveda's sun care protective hair veil.

8. Stop playing with your hair, like, right now.

Twisting, twirling, running your hands through it, all sounds pretty innocent, but the build up of constant tension on your strands can lead to breakage. Leave it alone.